marvan
02-16-2009, 07:16 AM
The very survival of General Motors was being questioned in the United States, its European subsidiary received some especially good news. Its Opel Insignia also sold as a Vauxhall in the UK - had beaten the new Ford Fiesta by a single point to be proclaimed Car. The Car of the Year in Europe is the contest that motor manufacturers most want to win. The recognition of the Insignia by the Jury of 59 senior journalists from 23 countries gave GM Europe a great fillip at a difficult time. At the end of January, it will be my job, as President of the Jury, to present the Car of the Year trophy to its chairman Carl-Peter Forster in front of the workforce at Russelsheim, Germany, where the Insignia is made.
1406
So, what is it like, this new Opel that beat the universally praised Fiesta by the narrowest of margins? The answer is a quantum leap for GM in the family and business car market. The Vectra, for years GM's stalwart in Europe, has been consigned to history. The Insignia is a bigger and altogether more sophisticated car. Opel boasts of 'premium values at an affordable price' and the 'democratisation of technology'. Which higher quality and the offer of a lot of clever stuff from the prestige sector.
Others have shown the way. In Europe, the well furnished Volkswagen Pass at and sweet handling Ford Mondeo are the cars to beat. Latterly the ageing Vectra only succeeded with heavy rebates and discounts.
1406
So, what is it like, this new Opel that beat the universally praised Fiesta by the narrowest of margins? The answer is a quantum leap for GM in the family and business car market. The Vectra, for years GM's stalwart in Europe, has been consigned to history. The Insignia is a bigger and altogether more sophisticated car. Opel boasts of 'premium values at an affordable price' and the 'democratisation of technology'. Which higher quality and the offer of a lot of clever stuff from the prestige sector.
Others have shown the way. In Europe, the well furnished Volkswagen Pass at and sweet handling Ford Mondeo are the cars to beat. Latterly the ageing Vectra only succeeded with heavy rebates and discounts.